I’m a Marxist – we are misunderstood on both the left and right

In these days of identity politics, the ideology remains refreshingly bracing in its view of the world.

Earlier this month I stood among a cheering throng in a city square as a statue of Friedrich Engels was unveiled. This is not a sentence many have had cause to write for several decades.

The “ceremony” marked the closing of the Manchester International Festival, and was hosted by the actress Maxine Peake, with music by Gruff Rhys of Super Furry Animals plus the achingly hip Mica Levi and Demdike Stare. The statue of Marx’s sponsor and friend was rescued by the artist …read more